Red Phoenix

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

I took my mother into my room while John talked to my father. My mother sat on the couch as Ah Yat brought their suitcase into the room.

‘I am so sorry, Mum, I should have told you,’ I said. ‘But I didn’t want you to know about it. I knew it would freak you out.’

‘What’s done is done, Emma,’ she said. ‘You actually thought you were adopted? Go and have a look in the mirror.’

‘Tell her, stone,’ I said. The stone was completely silent. ‘What?’ my mother said. I showed her the stone. ‘It talks.’

‘Now I know for sure that you need to talk to somebody.’

‘No, she’s quite correct, Mrs Donahoe,’ the stone said. ‘But she really should talk to somebody anyway.’ My mother stiffened.

‘Maybe that’s enough general weirdness for one day,’ I said.

‘I think you’re right,’ my mother said weakly. I sat on the couch next to her and put my arm around her shoulders. ‘Jennifer’s husband has been Mr Chen’s solicitor for many years. His law firm has acted for John for around two hundred years.’

‘I thought you were going to stop with the weirdness,’ my mother said.

‘Compared to some of the stuff that goes on around here,’ I said, ‘that’s completely normal.’

‘Where’s the little girl?’ my mother said.

‘Probably in the training room,’ I said. ‘Would you like to meet her? She’s the reason I do everything I do around here. I love her as if she were my own.’

‘What do you mean, “training room”?’

‘Oh, damn,’ I said, ‘more weirdness. You sure?’

‘I’m sure.’

‘John is God of Martial Arts. Kung fu. You know he’s been teaching me—remember I showed you some?’ My mother nodded. ‘Well, he teaches Simone as well. The training room is like a dance studio, where we do the kung fu. She’s probably in there practising.’

‘I’d like to see that,’ my mother said.

‘I’ll show you,’ I said. ‘But just before you go in, Mum, I must tell you, there are weapons in there. Don’t be too freaked, okay?’

‘Guns?’

‘No. Swords. Spears. Things like that. Guns don’t hurt demons. We don’t have anything to do with guns.’

My mother rose. ‘Let’s go and meet this little girl that you’ve thrown your whole life away for.’

I tapped on the door.

‘Come in, Emma,’ Simone called.

We went in. Simone had been working with a training sword. ‘I think I’m ready for a real one now, Emma.’ She saw my mother. ‘Hello.’

‘Hello, dear.’

‘This is my mother, Simone,’ I said.

‘Hello, Mrs Donahoe.’ Simone put her little sword back on the rack. ‘Don’t worry about all the weapons. We won’t hurt you.’ She came to my mother and held out her hand. My mother shook it gently.

‘How old are you, Simone?’ my mother said.

‘Six,’ Simone said.

‘She seems older than that, Emma,’ my mother said quietly.

‘She’s half god, Mum.’

‘I’m half Shen,’ Simone corrected me gently. ‘Daddy is a Shen.’

‘That’s what it’s called in Chinese,’ I said. ‘Get the sword back out, Simone, show my mother some moves.’

‘How about you do them with me?’ Simone said. ‘We can move through a pair set. That would be more interesting to watch. How about,’ she stopped and thought, ‘how about a level three Shaolin long sword set? That’s pretty to watch.’

‘Good idea.’ I went over to the rack and picked up my sword. I raised it to show my mother. ‘Same sword.’ She smiled and nodded. I selected the training sword and tossed it to Simone, who caught it easily.

‘Move back, Mrs Donahoe. We won’t hurt you, but you should move to the side of the room out of the way,’ Simone said.

We moved into position and saluted. My mother stood next to the wall and watched with interest.

We went through the set together. I didn’t usually do much work with Simone, and it was a satisfying feeling to work with her. She had improved a great deal. We moved in perfect harmony.

‘I think you’re ready for a real sword too,’ I said. ‘You should take mine.’

‘Oh!’ Simone said. ‘Make it sing for your mother.’ She stopped and gestured. ‘Show her.’

‘Enough weirdness for one day, pet,’ I said kindly.

‘I think Emma has a point,’ my mother said.

Simone inhaled sharply and her eyes went wide with delight. She danced over to the weapons rack and put her sword away. ‘Monica’s here!’

I quickly put my own sword away. Then I stopped. ‘Oh no,’ I said. ‘That means the Tiger’s here.’

‘Uncle Bai’s here too!’ Simone said. ‘Monica’ll cook Western food for your family, Emma.’ She suddenly went serious. ‘Daddy says to explain to your mummy about Uncle Bai first.’

‘What form’s he in, Simone?’ I said.

‘Human,’ Simone said.

‘Oh Lord,’ my mother said quietly at the side of the room.

The Tiger stayed and had dinner with us. It was complicated: my parents were served Western food, and the rest of us ate vegetarian Chinese, even Leo and Michael.

I introduced everybody as we sat.

‘Everybody, these are my parents, Brendan and Barbara Donahoe. Mum, Dad, this is most of the family.’

My parents appeared bewildered.

‘Okay,’ I said, ‘here goes.’ I gestured towards John. ‘John you know.’ I gestured towards the Tiger. ‘This is Tiger.’

‘Tiger,’ my father said, nodding. ‘Unusual name.’

‘Not that unusual in Hong Kong,’ the Tiger said with a grin.

‘Leo you’ve met.’ Leo nodded to my parents. ‘The other bodyguard.’

‘I’m a perfectly normal human being, one of the few in the household,’ Leo lisped. ‘Pleased to meet you.’

‘Pleased to meet you too,’ my father said loudly and clearly.

Leo and I both flinched.

‘Please don’t talk to him like that, Dad,’ I said softly. ‘Leo’s not deaf.’

‘Oh,’ my father said. ‘Sorry.’

‘The Snake Mothers hurt his mouth,’ Simone said, helping. ‘He can’t talk well now.’

‘What’s a Snake Mother?’ my mother said.

Nobody said anything, not even Simone.

‘Okay,’ I said briskly. ‘Next to Leo is Michael. Trainee bodyguard.’

Michael nodded to my father then turned to me. ‘Can I go out after dinner, Emma?’

‘Who with?’ I said.

‘Na Zha,’ he said defiantly.

‘Certainly,’ John said, and I glared at him.

‘Can Na Zha take anything that Wong throws at him?’ I said.

‘Na Zha is the best person he could be with in the current circumstances,’ John said. ‘He is a better demon killer than you and Leo put together.’

My parents shared a look.

‘All right then, you can go,’ I said. ‘Take your phone…’ I cut him off before he could protest. ‘I know you don’t need it, but I do, so take your phone and be back by ten.’

‘My Lady,’ Michael said with a grin.

‘What do these demons look like?’ my father said.

‘You’ve seen them already,’ I said. ‘The guy at the airport was one.’ Ah Yat came in. ‘Here’s another.’

My parents looked around, bewildered.

‘Ah Yat here, the housekeeper, is a demon,’ I said.

Ah Yat smiled and bowed slightly. ‘I am honoured to meet you, sir, madam,’ she said. ‘Yes, I am a demon.’

‘You look like a perfectly ordinary person to me,’ my father said.

‘Oh, thank you, sir, you really are most gracious,’ Ah Yat said.

‘They can take different forms,’ I said. ‘They can take human form.’

Ah Yat took the teapots into the kitchen with her.

‘She’s a tame one, she joined us,’ I said.

‘I see,’ my father said.

‘That’s everybody,’ I said.

John and the Tiger focused on one another.

‘Oh no you don’t!’ I said. ‘Out loud!’

‘What do you mean, Emma? “Out loud”?’ my mother said softly.

‘I’ll explain later,’ I said.

‘We’re discussing what we should do, Emma,’ John said. ‘Maybe your parents shouldn’t be involved in this.’

‘We’re involved now,’ my father said. ‘I want to know what your plans are. We’re in this now. We have a right to know.’

‘He’s right, John,’ I said.

‘People have died, Brendan,’ John said softly.

‘Even more reason for us to know what you have planned,’ my father said.

‘We will not let them control us. We are not going to hide,’ John said. ‘We will go to Emma’s graduation, and we will show you around Hong Kong. After that, we will ensure that you are safe.’

‘They can stay with me,’ the Tiger said.

‘But we will eat first and discuss this later,’ John said. ‘Dinner is not the time to be discussing this. Tell me about yourselves. I want to know everything. Emma is a remarkable woman, and I’d love to know where she gets it from.’

‘Me too,’ my father growled softly.

After the plates had been taken away, Monica appeared at the door from the kitchen. ‘The Chinese helper will clean up for me, sir, ma’am,’ she said. ‘May I spend some time with Simone?’

‘I was going to ask you to take her anyway, Monica,’ I said. ‘You two go and do something together.’

Simone hopped off her chair and took Monica’s hand. ‘I bought some new toys with my birthday lai see money, Monica. Come and see.’

Monica nodded and smiled around the table, then let Simone gently lead her out.

Michael rose and saluted around the table. ‘My Lord, my Lady.’ He nodded to my parents. ‘Mr and Mrs Donahoe.’ He turned to me. ‘By your leave, my Lady.’

‘Off you go, Michael, but remember what I said.’

Michael patted his father on the shoulder as he went past him. ‘Dad.’

‘Three One Five,’ the Tiger growled. ‘Don’t get yourself into any trouble with that little bastard, he can be bad news when he wants to be. Don’t go near any dragons with him.’

Michael silently went out.

‘He’s your son?’ my father said.

‘One of the best,’ Bai Hu said.

‘How many children do you have?’ my mother said.

‘I have absolutely no idea,’ the Tiger said with a grin. ‘Right now, something in the region of about six hundred, six hundred and fifty—boys and girls. Couldn’t tell you the exact number, they keep dying.’

‘Dying?’ my mother said with a gasp.

‘Most of the children are mortal. The Tiger isn’t,’ I said, explaining. ‘They grow old and die. He doesn’t.’

My mother’s eyes were wide. ‘How about you?’ she asked John.

‘Simone. One. That’s it,’ John said. ‘One human child.’

‘Don’t ask,’ I said.

‘I cannot believe you let yourself get mixed up in this,’ my father said softly.

‘Me either, sometimes,’ I said.

‘She does it all for Simone,’ John said.

‘And she’s worth it,’ I said.

‘Okay.’ John put his hands on the table and addressed my parents. ‘When you came to Hong Kong, there were probably things you wanted to do. Shopping, sightseeing, things like that. Where would you like us to take you? What would you like to do? Stay for a while after the graduation. Let us show you around.’

‘Are you sure that’s a good idea?’ my mother said weakly.

‘We will protect you. You’ll be safe,’ I said.

‘I don’t think we should be out sightseeing with all of this happening,’ my mother said.

‘You are perfectly safe as long as you are with us,’ John said. ‘Please. Take the time—you are here anyway, enjoy the sights. Let us show you. We will protect you.’

‘Well, okay, if you’re sure,’ my father said. ‘I saw the tourist stuff on the way in. I wanted to have some suits made, Hong Kong is famous for that.’

‘Mr Li,’ I said.

‘Good idea,’ John said. ‘I need a new dinner suit. Get him to make it at the same time. Get a couple of new cheongsams made as well, Emma, you’re wearing those ones you bought last year to bits.’

‘What’s a cheongsam?’ my mother said.

‘Traditional-style Chinese dress,’ the Tiger said. ‘Suzie Wong.’

John stiffened and glared at the Tiger. Leo’s expression darkened but he didn’t say a word. The Tiger grinned at John. ‘Black Turtle.’ Leo silently shot to his feet. John’s face went completely rigid. His eyes blazed. ‘Leave it for later, John, Leo,’ I growled softly. ‘He’ll keep.’

‘You are an extremely offensive little cat with a great big mouth sometimes, Ah Bai,’ John said softly, his eyes still blazing. ‘And you will mind your manners in front of my Lady and her honoured parents.’

Leo sat back down, his eyes not shifting from the Tiger.

‘What, Emma?’ my mother leaned over to whisper. ‘I get the Suzie Wong thing, but the turtle thing?’

‘I’ll explain later,’ I said. ‘Or maybe the Tiger will,’ I added pointedly.

‘Sorry, Emma,’ the Tiger said without a hint of remorse. ‘Too good a chance to miss.’

I looked the Tiger right in the eye. ‘You have offended the honour of myself and my Lord, and if my parents weren’t here I would call you out, Tiger.’

‘Damn,’ the Tiger said softly, his eyes wide with admiration.

‘I’d like to see some temples, if I could,’ my mother said, changing the subject. ‘I’d like to see more of the Hong Kong Harbour too—I’ve heard about it. Some of those handicrafts you brought back last time were wonderful, Emma, I’d like to see more. I’m very interested in Chinese culture, you can show me while we’re here. Things like that.’

‘There aren’t many temples in Hong Kong,’ the Tiger said. ‘Not many at all.’

‘That’s something people say all the time,’ I said. ‘But there are temples everywhere. You just don’t notice them because they’re part of the scenery. How many temples on the Island?’

‘None at all,’ the Tiger said with a grin. ‘There’s a couple in Kowloon, and a couple in the New Territories, that’s all.’

‘There’s the Man Mo temple in Hollywood Road, and the Tin Hau temple in Tin Hau,’ I said. ‘And that’s just the big ones.’

‘How about the Pak Tai on Kennedy Road?’ John said.

The Tiger roared with laughter. My parents were bewildered.

‘Oh my God,’ I said with a huge grin. ‘I completely forgot. I go past that all the time.’ I explained for my parents. ‘It’s a temple in Wan Chai. Very pretty. The temple is dedicated to the Dark Lord of the North, the god who can control the water and keeps the fishermen safe.’ I gestured towards John. ‘Him.’

My parents stared at John, eyes wide.

‘Hey, I’m in there too,’ the Tiger said.

‘One more crack like that last one and I’ll have you taken out,’ I said.

The Tiger didn’t say anything, he just grinned and saluted, shaking his hands in front of his face.

‘It’s a lovely clear night,’ John said. ‘How about we go down to the Peak Tower and have a look?’

‘If you don’t mind, John,’ my father said, sounding weary, ‘I think we’d just like to settle in, talk to our daughter, and work out what we’ll do.’

‘I understand completely,’ John said. ‘We’ll need to rearrange the schedules so that Emma can spend time with you. I can do that, don’t worry about it. Leo and I will work something out. Go. Spend time with Emma. You probably have questions. She can tell you the whole ridiculous story.’

‘Come on, guys,’ I said, rising to lead my parents out. ‘Let him mess up my schedule, I’ll fix it tomorrow.’

‘She’s right, my Lord,’ Leo said softly.

‘My Lord, by your leave,’ the Tiger said, and disappeared.

‘His tail is in serious trouble,’ John said. ‘Unacceptable level of insubordination.’ He sat quietly, musing. ‘I think

I may order him to clean out the basement of Wellington Street. Far too many rats in there, despite the best efforts of the pest-control people.’

My parents stood frozen, staring at where the Tiger had disappeared.

‘Come on, I’ll explain everything. That’s a great idea,’ I said over my shoulder to John. ‘You know he hates the taste of rat.’

‘Don’t know why,’ John said with a grin. ‘My Serpent really likes live rat. I used to spend hours in the basement gorging on them. Since the Serpent left we’ve really had a problem in there.’

‘If I start dreaming about eating rats, your shell is in very serious trouble,’ I said quietly to myself as I took my parents out.